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Blue Sky Adventures

New Mexico High Adventure
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Mountains, Museums, and Mesa Trails Before Philmont

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The High Adventure tour offers an energetic two-day launch into the spirit of New Mexico before heading to Philmont. From exploring the historic Atomic Museum and hiking atop 11,000-foot Sandia Peak to discovering the ancient ruins at Puye Cliffs and rafting down the Rio Grande, this itinerary delivers elevation, culture, and excitement. Great food, hotel games, and meaningful moments make this tour the perfect balance of learning and adventure!

Overview

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Overview

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Map

1. Albuquerque International Sunport

2200 Sunport Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA

2. Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown

2600 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, USA

3. Frontier Restaurant

2400 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA

4. National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, USA

5. Sandia Peak Tramway

30 Tramway Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122, USA

6. Santa Fe

Santa Fe, NM, USA

7. Puye Cliff Dwellings

NM 30 and NM 5, Santa Clara Canyon Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA

8. Rio Grande River Trail

Unnamed Road, Albuquerque, NM 87105, USA

9. Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico 87714, USA

Arrival Day

Acclimation
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Arrive in Albuquerque, visit the Atomic Museum, enjoy local cuisine, and ride the Sandia tram to hike above 11,000 feet.

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Flight

  • Arrive in Albuquerque by 12:00 PM and rendezvous with your Blue Sky Adventures tour guide at the Albuquerque International Airport. We will be waiting for you and will get you underway as soon as possible. With your Blue Sky Adventures water bottle in hand, it’s time to get acclimated!

  • Your tour guide will be with you all day to make sure everything is fun and happens as it is supposed to and will bring New Mexico “alive” with stories of local legends, history and culture. Your tour guide is the difference maker on a Blue Sky tour compared to anything you can do yourself!

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Transport

  • Pick up at the Albuquerque International Airport and transport to the hotel. Get your custom Blue Sky Adventures water bottle!

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Lunch

  • Lunch at the world-famous Frontier Restaurant just across from the University of New Mexico. Try the green chile cheeseburger or the Frontier Burrito. Be sure to add a Sweet Roll to share with your fellow Scouts. They are delicious!!

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National Atomic Museum

  • A visit to the National Atomic Museum. Learn about the Manhattan Project and see replicas of the bombs that ended World War II. See the plane that dropped the bomb and climb into the control tower of the first nuclear submarine. This is a cool place for sure!!

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Sandia Peak

  • Trip to the top of Sandia Peak; a breath-taking ride on the world’s longest aerial cable car to the 11,000-foot mountain peak.

  • At the summit of Sandia Peak, we will hike about a mile along the mountain ridge to the “Stone Hut” built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This is a fantastic hike with unparalleled vistas of the Rio Grande Valley and it provides a great way to quickly acclimate to the affects of higher elevations. What a great way to help get ready for the rigors of your Philmont trek!

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Sheraton Uptown

  • Check in at the hotel where there’s lots to do (pool, gift shop, computer center, fitness center, ping pong, and basketball).

  • Spend the afternoon poolside or play board games, ping-pong or basketball with your crew and other Scouts from all over the country--this is some Scout trip!

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Dinner

  • Dinner is good food and lots of it! An “all you can eat” buffet.

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Quiet Evening

  • Enjoy some free time! Walk to the movie theatre, Dave & Busters, or pick up any last minute items you need for the trail. This is a terrific location!

Explore New Mexico

Day 2
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Tour Santa Fe, explore Puye Cliffs with a Native American guide, and whitewater raft the Rio Grande in fun yaks.

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Breakfast

  • Hot, all you can eat breakfast buffet at hotel-waffles, eggs, sausage, bacon, Danish, juice, cereal, fresh fruit and more!

  • Early morning rendezvous with your Blue Sky Adventures tour guide at the hotel. Your tour guide will be with you all day to make sure everything is fun and happens as it is supposed to and will bring New Mexico “alive” with stories of local legends, history and culture. Your tour guide is the difference maker on a Blue Sky tour compared to anything you can do yourself!

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Santa Fe

  • Walking tour of Santa Fe, the second oldest city in the US. See the historic State Capitol, Santa Fe Plaza and the Santa Fe Trail Journeys End memorial.

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Puye Cliffs

  • Experience Native American culture first hand as you climb up the ancient trails of Puye Cliffs and visit the 900 year old ruins at the top of the mesa. Led by a Native American guide this is a truly unique and hands on experience!

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Lunch

  • Box lunch at scenic Puye on the porch of the historic Harvey House.

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White Water Rafting

  • Hold on tight for whitewater rafting on the “Racecourse” section of the Rio Grande River! Conditions permitting, scouts will raft in one and two-man rubber “fun yaks”!

  • After rafting it’s time for snacks and cold drinks for all!

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Relax at the Hotel

  • Return to the hotel in Albuquerque where there’s lots to do (pool, gift shop, computer center, fitness center, ping pong, and basketball).

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Dinner

  • Dinner is good food and lots of it! An “all you can eat” buffet.

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Sheraton Uptown

  • Spend the evening poolside or play board games, ping-pong or basketball with your crew and other Scouts from all over the country--this is some Scout trip!

Off to Philmont

Day 3
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Refuel with a hearty breakfast and travel to Philmont aboard the Blue Sky Express.

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Breakfast

  • Hot, all you can eat full breakfast buffet - eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and more!

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Before You Go

  • Review your homebound departure day pick up procedures and get your Blue Sky Adventures “give-a-ways and advisor tips” to make your trek even better.

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Scout Me In

  • All aboard the Blue Sky Express! You will be at Philmont by 10:00 AM.

Departure Day

Back Home
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Leave Philmont early and arrive at Albuquerque International Airport in time for afternoon flights.

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Scout Me Out

  • Depart Philmont on the 7:30 AM Blue Sky Express. Exact departure time may change based on our transportation schedule. We will confirm exact time once your flight is finalized.

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Flight

  • Arrive Albuquerque International by 11:30 AM. Departure flight must leave after 1 PM.

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